Celebrating the Ethereal Symmetry of Elie Saab's New Bridal Collection

The highly individualized nature of Antoni Gaudí’s marvelous architectural structures, most of which are concentrated in Barcelona, means no two buildings are alike. In the same way, a couturier of Elie Saab’s caliber ensures that each haute couture look is made-to-measure and specially formulated for the wearer to please her eye.

In fact, we might even venture so far as to say Gaudí was the haute couturier of the architectural world, creating whimsical, daring buildings that amazed in their ability to transcend convention. Therefore, Saab’s use of Gaudí for inspiration for the Fall 2018 Couture season could be considered a meeting of the minds, where one informed the other’s creations in order to invent something original.

Photo: Courtesy of Imaxtree

While an architectural jumping off point might indicate experimental dress forms, Saab stuck to red carpet staples like off-shoulder necklines, single-shoulder straps, clinging bodices with full skirts, asymmetrical cut-aways, and ruffled necks. The Gaudí influence was primarily felt in the textures, embellishment, and prints that decorated the looks.

Saab’s phenomenal looks were red-carpet appropriate, with just enough artistic flare to set them apart from the pack.

Saab employed crackle prints, exaggerated, winged shoulders, and dense sequins to speak to the mesmerizing facades dreamed up by the Catalan modernist. Some dresses sprouted three-dimensional beaded structures that sat atop the gowns like cages, echoing the windows of a Gaudí building, while others mimicked the organic, molten patterns on his structures with hand-embroidered lace and sequined patterns found on gowns, capes, and elegant jackets. In shades of eggplant, champagne, aqua, maroon, and navy, Saab’s phenomenal looks were red-carpet appropriate, with just enough artistic flare to set them apart from the pack.

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